The Impressive TimesEntertainment Correspondent
info@impressivetimes.com
In a major crackdown on obscene and vulgar content online, the central government has blocked 25 Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms and their associated mobile apps—including prominent names such as ALTBalaji, Big Shots, and Ullu—for allegedly distributing content considered “pornographic in nature,” officials confirmed on Friday.
According to sources in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), these platforms were found in “serious violation” of Indian IT laws and digital media ethics codes. The decision was taken under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
“These platforms were streaming videos and web series containing sexually explicit acts, nudity, and vulgar innuendos without any social message or artistic merit,” an official involved in the investigation said.
The action marks a significant shift from the earlier approach of self-regulation, as the government had previously issued warnings and advisories to OTT platforms to adhere to ethical digital content practices. However, continued violations have now prompted direct intervention.
Authorities say the majority of content hosted on these platforms lacked any storyline or narrative value and focused solely on explicit visual content intended to titillate, in violation of guidelines that restrict the streaming of adult content.
No formal public notification has yet been issued, but intermediary platforms and telecom providers have reportedly been directed to disable access to the websites and mobile applications of the above OTT services.
This crackdown is expected to set a precedent for future digital content regulation, as the government tightens oversight on online streaming platforms operating within India.
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